RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders fell on the road tonight in Russellville, Arkansas to the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys by a final score of 27-37.
The Muleriders found themselves in a hole early as the Wonder Boys ripped off 13 points in the first quarter as the SAU offense struggled to find their rhythm. After the first quarter, the Muleriders trailed 13-0 after the first quarter. Tech found the scoreboard again early in the second quarter taking a 20-0 lead.
The Mulerider comeback began as Collin Hitchcock connected with
Arkez Gomez for a touchdown, 7-20. A three and out from the Mulerider defense gave the Mulerider offense the ball back with a chance to pull even closer. With Collin Hitchcock at quarterback again, the Muleriders drove down the field and scored again as Hitchcock took the ball up the middle for 21-yards for a touchdown, 14-20. Both defenses traded blows to end the second quarter as the game went to half time with the Muleriders trailing 14-20.
After the Muleriders offense stalled out to open the third quarter, Arkansas Tech scored again going up 27-14. The Muleriders offense found their footing in the second half and
Cooper Denehie connected on a 31-yard field goal to pull within 10 points, 17-27. Another three and out forced by the Muleriders on the ensuing drive gave SAU the ball back with all the momentum.
Ryan Shackleton led the Muleriders offense down the field and
Cooper Denehie connected again this time from 33-yards out to pull within one score of the Wonder Boys, 20-27.
A
Kaleb Roach interception on the first play of the fourth quarter set the Muleriders up in plus territory with a chance to go down and tie the game.
Ryan Shackleton again led the Muleriders down the field and called his own number from four yards out to score and knot the game at 27-27 with 12:50 remaining.
Despite coming all the way back to tie the game, the Muleriders offense stalled out as Tech kicked a field goal to take the lead and a late touchdown as they won the game 37-27.
The loss is the first time in the
Brad Smiley era that the Wonder Boys have defeated the Muleriders and also the first time in seven years that SAU has lost to ATU.
Individual Performers
Ryan Shackleton: 11-for-18, 151 passing yards
Katrevion Thomas: 11 rushes, 68 rushing yards
Isaac Norris: 1 reception, 54 receiving yards
Carter Wells: 10 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Kaleb Roach: 6 total tackles, one interception
Up Next
The Muleriders will return home to Wilkins Stadium on Saturday, October 24th at 2:30 p.m. against Ouachita Baptists University for its Hall of Fame/Homecoming game. The SAU Sports Hall of Fame banquet will take place the Friday (Oct. 23) night before in Grand Hall in the Donald W. Reynolds Center at 6:30 PM.
